TY - CONF A1 - Müller, Anja A1 - Saleh, Maysoon I. A1 - Unger, Wolfgang T1 - Investigation of core-shell nanoparticles using a combination of scanning Auger microscopy (SAM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) N2 - Products containing engineered nanoparticles already encounter us in most areas of our daily life including cosmetics, clothing, detergents, paints, batteries and displays. In most cases the particles exhibit a core-shell morphology either voluntarily or involuntarily. The properties of the nanoparticle shell determine the interaction with their environment and, thus, reliable control over these properties means reliable control over the particles performance and their toxicity. Therefore, sophisticated techniques to measure thickness and elemental composition of the nanoparticle shell are urgently required. Scanning Auger microscopy (SAM) is a powerful technique with a lateral resolution below 10 nm and a chemical contrast based on the characteristic kinetic energy of Auger electrons related to specific atomic levels and, thus, to a specific element. This work explores the potential of SAM for characterizing the core-shell structure of nanoparticles. A sample system of upconversion NaYF4:Yb,Er cores coated with SiO2 is investigated. Auger spectra, line scans and elemental maps of single nanoparticles will be presented. Challenges encountered will be highlighted, such as damage to the sample by electron beam irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) are performed on the same samples, in order to verify the SAM results. T2 - BAM PhD Retreat CY - Warnemünde, Germany DA - 28.09.2018 KW - Core-shell nanoparticles KW - SAM KW - SEM KW - Surface analysis PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-46270 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -